Thursday night, about 400 Bowling Green residents let it be known they are advocates against sexual assault.

Take Back the Night, a march and candlelight vigil for those affected by sexual assault, was sponsored by Hope Harbor, a local sexual trauma center.

The goal of the annual event is to raise awareness about sexual assault so victims know they have advocates in the community, said Elizabeth Madariaga, co-chairwomen for the sexual assault committee at the Counseling and Testing Center.

The march was approximately one mile, starting at the Warren County Justice Center, circling around the square and returning back to the Justice Center.

Afterwards, participants lit candles and sung “This Little Light of Mine,” many of them with tears in their eyes.

Claire Donahue, a senior from Knoxville, Tenn., said this was her first time attending Take Back the Night, and she decided to come after her professor mentioned it in class.

“I’ve never attend anything like this,” she said. “They were talking about the stats and it’s shocking. People need to speak up and let them know they have that advocate.”

Check Tuesday’s Herald for more on this story.